PYROTECHNIC SAFETY

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PYROTECHNIC SAFETY
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INTRODUCTION

• During FY95 twenty-one soldiers were seriously
  injured by pyrotechnic devices.
• Pyrotechnic devices were the single greatest
  source of weapons related injuries over the last
  two years.
• There are currently no formalized training
  programs

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The primary devices involved are

• Grenade simulators
• Anti tank weapons engagement simulation systems
  (ATWESS)
• Smoke grenades
• Artillery simulators

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SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

• Use inert training aides whenever possible.
• Use safety precautions
• listed on Pyrotechnic containers
• listed in this program text
• and those IAW Army Publications.

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ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Dispose of all live, dud, and spent training
  aides IAW AR 385-64, TM 9-1300-200/206, local
  laws, and command directives.

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PRIMARY CAUSES OF INJURY

• Deliberate misuse or tampering with Pyrotechnic
  devices.
• opened grenade simulators/ATWESS cartridges
• use ATWESS cartridges in incompatible weapons
  systems.
• horse play

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Insufficient training

• Picking up, kicking, or moving unexploded
  ordinance (UXO)
• Back Blast area not clear
• Improper employment of smoke grenades.

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PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

• Wear leather palmed gloves
• Keep sleeves down
• Wear proper footwear
• Wear eye protection
• wear proper hearing protection

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TRAIN ALL ASIGNED PERSONNEL IN

• Marking of unexploded ordinance UXO
• How to contact Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD)
  
• Back blast areas of applicable weapons
• Proper employment of smoke grenades
• NOTE - With qualified instructors, whenever
  possible use inexperienced soldiers as
  demonstrators. It may be the only hands on
  training they get prior to actual use.

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After an exercise has been completed. If there
are unused Pyrotechnic devices left over.
Conduct hip pocket training with as many
soldiers as possible.

• Obtain approval from higher.
• Red smoke/star clusters will probably not be
  authorized for use in training.

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SUMMARY

• Each year several soldiers are injured
• Formal training program
• Consequences of misuse
• Proper techniques for employment
• Help protect the force.

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COMMENTS